A Very Mixed Bag

Published: 31 Mar 2006 - 09:14 by raystrach

Updated: 31 Mar 2006 - 09:16

Subscribers: Log in to subscribe to this post.

I can say from the outset that I can confirm that I have taken my Squash up a notch in the past couple of weeks. despite that, I am still not performing anywhere near my best. Tonite when I had a chance to realy put pressure on a player that was similar in standard to Peter who I took to five last week, I faultered badly.

I am not giving melself credit for my own abilities on court, I am pressing to much and not playing with the confidence that I should against the better players.

Had a swim on monday morning, again has a slight kink in my back so only swam 5 X 100 mtrs. Did some stretching after and managed to get most of the kink out. The result of that was that my legs became really sore (a chiropracto that I use to go to reckons that was good because it means that you caan now really feel your legs - the soreness is not being masked)

My coaching on monday night was interesting. The young boy that I coach finaly started to get his backhand right. Because he does not play a lot, he does not get a lot of practice. He always is able to improve during the session, with instruction, but then tends to forget until next time.

He had been making steady progress on keeping his wrist firm, but on Monday he made the breakthrough. On the drive instruction he got a few shots right but later when we were practicing the boast and the bost and drive alternative, he reeled off about ten straight all with great technique. He was pretty pleased, as I with him. Let' hope he is still doing next week!

Was looking forward to my Wednesday night match with Terry. I have had a winning record with him recently although we always have a hard match. I was hoping that he would be a good yardstick as to how I was playing. Unfortunatley he was injured and I had to play the number 2 player. It was quite an easy match, but it does need a different mentality to play a weaker player, when you know you should win easily.

And so to my match with Bruce. I had met him before (quite a few years ago) but did not recognise him at first. Competed quite well in the first . Felt quite comfortable in the rallies but made some poor decisions and made mistakes on easy shots. While the pace was quick, I was capable of playing at that level. Said to myself that I should be ale to win, but I really did not believe it - not good .

Throughout the match I had chances but squandered many with poor decisions and mistakes at crucial times. Again, it is all about confidence and mentally, I just did not have what it took. In contrast Bruce did what he had to do, made few mistakes and took the opportunities presented to him.

The biggest fustration of all was that I was not exhasted after the match. I settled in a comfort zone during the third game (without realising it at the time) and paced myself, instead of attacking the ball early and pushing myself to the limit.

Another lesson to add to the many in my portfolio.